What makes one hotel worth choosing over another?

Choosing a hotel can raise an important question: “I’m hardly going to be in the room. Why should I pay more for the hotel?”

It’s a reasonable question. And sometimes, a more expensive hotel really isn’t necessary.

When choosing a hotel it’s about more than the price of the room. Your hotel is part of your vacation. You sleep there, get ready for your day there, return when you need a break, and hopefully wake up refreshed and ready to enjoy wherever you’ve traveled.

And no, choosing a more expensive hotel doesn’t mean you have to spend all day there to get your money’s worth.

So when is the difference worth it?

A Good Hotel Location Can Make a Difference

For me, location is one of the most important considerations when choosing a hotel.

A centrally located hotel can put restaurants, sightseeing and shops within walking distance. It can also make it easy to return to your room for an afternoon break before heading out again for dinner.

A less expensive hotel farther away may save money on the room, but you may give some of that savings back in taxis or other transportation. More importantly, you’re spending vacation time getting back and forth.

This becomes especially important when you arrive a few days before a cruise. Those days should feel like part of your vacation, not simply somewhere to stay while waiting for your cruise to begin.

Hotel Comfort Matters

A quiet room, a comfortable bed and enough space to relax may not sound terribly exciting when you’re planning a trip. After a full day of sightseeing, they can feel very important.

For American travelers in Europe, I would add air conditioning to that list.

Don’t assume every European hotel—or every room—will have the kind of air conditioning you’re accustomed to at home. If sleeping in a cool room matters to you, particularly during warmer months, it’s worth checking before you book.

Elevators, bathrooms, room size and soundproofing can also make a considerable difference, especially when you’re staying several nights.

Choosing a Hotel for What Matters to You

Paying more doesn’t necessarily mean choosing a five-star hotel.

A well-located four-star hotel with a quiet, comfortable room may be exactly what you want. Another traveler may value the additional service, dining choices or atmosphere of a five-star property.

And hotels often have amenities you may never use. Maybe there’s a beautiful spa and you have absolutely no intention of setting foot in it. That doesn’t make the hotel a poor choice if everything else is what you want.

Choosing a hotel is ultimately about finding the right fit for the way you travel.

Does it give you the location you want? Will you be comfortable there? Does the atmosphere appeal to you? Does it offer the things that will make a difference to your stay?

The goal isn’t to use everything the hotel offers. It’s to make sure the things that matter most to you are there.

The best hotel isn’t necessarily the most expensive one. It’s the one that gives you what matters most when you close the door at the end of the day.

Planning a trip and wondering which hotel is right for you? Choosing where to stay is just one part of creating a trip that fits the way you like to travel. If you’d like to talk about your plans, I offer a complimentary 20-minute consultation.

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